Information for term Teach in South Korea Basics
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenPut your teaching credentials to work in South Korea! CIEE Teach Abroad can help you apply to Korea’s prestigious EPIK public school program, or set up interviews with our network of reputable private schools. Both types are suitable for first-time teachers. Read on to learn more!
Program Highlights
- High salaries let entry-level teachers save money or travel
- Rent-free studio apartment
- Schools provide reimbursement for one-way airfare
- No teaching experience necessary
No teaching credentials? Check out Teach in South Korea, which adds an online TEFL certification course to your program.
Have questions? Find answers on our Teach in Korea FAQ page.
| Term | Start Date | Duration | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2 Semesters 2023 | February | 12 months |
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| Fall 2 Semesters 2023 | August/September | 12 months |
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About Our Program Fees
CIEE, a non-profit organization, relies on program fees to provide South Korea Basics participants with placement assistance, international insurance, orientation, and support before and after arrival. The program fee of $1,350 is paid in two installments:
- $500 commitment deposit due after acceptance
- Remaining balance due when you receive your placement
CIEE alumni receive a 10% discount!
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
- Private School candidates: interview opportunities with reputable schools
- Public School candidates: guidance with EPIK’s application, including lesson plan tips
- Instructions for preparing documents and visa
- Access extensive pre-departure advice from CIEE staff and alumni
- One year of iNext international insurance with 24-hour emergency assistance services
- Support and advice from CIEE representatives in Korea
- Mid-year networking weekend in Seoul
The Destination
Click to Open
The Destination
Participants are placed in cities and suburban areas throughout South Korea. Teaching assignments are available in the Seoul metropolitan area, but they are often more competitive and are not always available to inexperienced teachers.
Many teachers are placed in the following cities:
- Busan, the country’s second-largest city, draws many international conventions and foreign visitors.
- Ulsan, on the south-eastern coast, is an industrial powerhouse with the energy of a robust economy.
- Daegu enjoys a subtropical climate ideal for producing high-quality apples, thus its nickname, "Apple City.” It is also a notable center for Korean fashion.
- Daejeon, in the center of the country, has 18 universities and is a center of advanced technology.
- Gwangju is another large, culturally rich city in the south of the country.
- The greater Seoul area is one of the largest metropolitan disctricts in the world and includes the nearby cities of Bucheon, Incheon, Suwon City, Gunpo, and Namyangju.
- Each year, we have other interesting locations not included on this list!
CIEE wants all our participants to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while teaching abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that teachers with specific identities might encounter in Seoul, and these are generally applicable to other parts of the country where Teach Abroad participants are placed.
Please note: because of the Korean visa process, it is not possible to plan other international travel in the two months before your program begins. Plan to be in your home country during that time.
The Take-Aways
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Compensation
Rent-free housing with basic amenities, competitive salary, airfare, South Korean-national medical insurance benefits.
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Preparation
Detailed pre-departure guides on topics like phones, cultural differences and advice from former teachers, plus an orientation and networking weekend in Seoul.
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Assistance
Pre-departure guidance, international medical insurance and 24-hour worldwide assistance with CIEE iNext, in-country support from resident staff members.
Job Description
Click to OpenJob Description
In South Korea, you’ll be teaching English in a society where academics are highly valued. Positions are available with KG and elementary students, so if you’re excited to be a language and cultural ambassador for South Korea’s youngest learners, you’re on the right track!
Most Korean students attend public school during the day, then private academies called hagwons in the afternoon or evening, to help them meet high expectations for educational achievement. Each type of teaching job has its pros and cons. Visit our South Korea Schooling System comparison guide for more information.
If you choose to apply for private schools (hagwons), you have much more influence over location, and you will likely have other expat teachers at your school. It’s the best approach for friends and couples seeking placement together, too. Our program will guide you with documents and the visa, and arrange video interviews with reputable employers.
If you choose to apply for public school jobs, CIEE’s program will provide guidance on how to make a strong application with EPIK, the Korean public school program for foreign teachers. EPIK is competitive, and offers little to no control over location, but has longer vacations and Korean co-teachers.
Keep in mind, you can only apply for one school type at a time. Not sure which one is right for you? Check out our page on Types of ESL Jobs in South Korea and then schedule a phone call!
Compensation & Benefits
Regardless of the type of school, teaching in Korea offers an outstanding package when it comes to salary and benefits. You can live comfortably and still save money each month, and use it for travel, student loans, or whatever you want!
Private Schools pay 2.1 to 2.8 million won/month, plus rent-free housing. The highest salaries typically correspond to a heavier workload.
EPIK Public Schools pay 2.0 to 2.3 million won/month, plus rent-free housing. Salary depends on credentials and province assignment.
You’ll have a small deduction each month for Korean taxes, but you’ll be enrolled in Korea’s National Health Insurance which delivers excellent care at very low prices. There’s also a contract completion bonus equal to one month’s salary at the end of your program.
All teachers receive rent-free housing from their employer, in the form of a small studio apartment with necessary furnishings.
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SCHOOLS AND LOCATIONS
Private schools are concentrated in cities and urban areas, where there are lots of customers! It’s rare for a first-time teacher to get a job in central Seoul, but there are lots of opportunities nearby in Incheon, Gyeonggido, and Suwon, as well as other cities and urban districts throughout Korea. We’ll do our best to follow your preferences when arranging interviews!
The EPIK Public School program places teachers nationwide, based on each area’s needs. You’ll be able to list a single province or city as a preferred location, but there’s no guarantee, and the major cities are highly competitive. EPIK candidates must be flexible about location, since province assignments are only announced about 5 weeks before departure.
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WORKLOAD
Participants at private schools are solo lead teachers with full responsibility for their classes. Class sizes are small (5-12 students), but the overall workload is fairly heavy: typically 30-33 classroom teaching hours* each week. 9-10 paid school vacation days (fixed schedule), plus 10-15 national holidays.
Participants at public schools have Korean co-teachers with them most of the time, but should be ready to take the lead on lesson planning. Expect 20-30 students per class, and 20-25 teaching hours* per week. 24-26 paid school vacation days (fixed schedule), plus 10-15 national holidays.
*Outside of teaching hours, other obligations including meetings, free periods, assemblies, and lunch supervision.
Qualifications
Click to OpenTEFL Certification
Click to OpenOur Team
Click to OpenOur Team
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MinJae Kim
IN-COUNTRY SUPPORT
An educator by training, MJ values diversity and culturally relevant teaching. He enjoys learning new languages, musical instruments, and sports,...
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Luke Beland
Teach Abroad Manager
Luke studied abroad in Morocco and taught English in Jordan, and visited many other countries along the way. He is pleased to put those experiences and lessons to good use helping CIEE participants!
Ready to change your life?
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